STEAM is FUNdamental

A group of fourth graders from Todt Hill are learning how to build their own skate park

A group of fourth graders from Todt Hill are learning how to build their own skate park. Although it’s a scale model, the kids learn the concepts needed to construct a full-size version themselves, thanks to their after school program which uses a STEAM curriculum: Science, Technology, Engineering, Architecture/arts, and Math. By studying objects found in their communities, such as buildings, bridges, and parks, students learn how these disciplines are part of their everyday lives.

The program is run by the Salvadori Center, a non-profit organization that has taught STEAM in New York City for the past 40 years. A grant from the Pinkerton Foundation is funding three 12-week after school programs for third to eighth graders on Staten Island at JCC Cornerstone (serving Richmond Terrace), UAU South Beach Cornerstone (serving South Beach residents), and JCC Cornerstone (serving Todt Hill). The Salvadori Center hopes to expand the program to more NYCHA sites in the future.

At all three centers, the children are working on skate parks, exploring concepts such as shape and form, force and energy, inclines, and the construction materials used to build skate parks. For their final project, they will design a three-dimensional scale model of a skate park. Last fall, the kids built six-foot models of bridges using Popsicle sticks and paper clips.

“This isn’t about reading a textbook or listening to a teacher lecture; students learn by doing. They build projects with their hands, discuss ideas, and develop creative solutions to tough problems,” Kenneth Jones, Executive Director of the Salvadori Center, said. “NYCHA students are great! They are engaged and interested. And our studies show that the program is making a positive impact on the students’ self confidence in their ability to be successful with math and science as well as their interest in pursuing STEAM careers.”

And what do the new skate park experts have to say about the program? 

Makaylah Campbell, 10, from Todt Hill: “I love science and math. This program wants me to learn even more. My favorite part with skate parks is that we will get to build one ourselves. I would love to do this program every day if I could, because it inspires me so much.”

U’lanii McDonald, 9, from Todt Hill: “This program I think is really special. Some people in this world don’t get this program so I make sure to get here every time. I also like that I get to work with other people to either help them or explain what they have to do. With the skate park, I like to see how much force at different angles you can have on a skate ramp. I like this program because it teaches us a lot of things about engineering.”

Jessie Zhang, 10, Todt Hill: “The best thing about this class is that you can build stuff. Last time, we built a bridge out of paper, Popsicle sticks, and a hot glue gun.”